Notice2021-22238
BNSF Railway's Request for Testing Approval on Its Certified Positive Train Control System
Primary source
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Published
October 13, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
This document provides the public with notice that on August 2, 2021, BNSF Railway (BNSF) submitted its Onboard Movement Authority with the Virtual Block System (OMA VBS) Afton Pilot Test Plan, Version 1.2a, dated August 3, 2021, to FRA via the Secure Information Repository. BNSF asks FRA to approve its Test Plan, which includes changes to operating rules and procedures and dispatch processes, to test its OMA VBS on track that has been equipped with positive train control (PTC).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 56999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22238]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2010-0056]
BNSF Railway's Request for Testing Approval on Its Certified
Positive Train Control System
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document provides the public with notice that on August
2, 2021, BNSF Railway (BNSF) submitted its Onboard Movement Authority
with the Virtual Block System (OMA VBS) Afton Pilot Test Plan, Version
1.2a, dated August 3, 2021, to FRA via the Secure Information
Repository. BNSF asks FRA to approve its Test Plan, which includes
changes to operating rules and procedures and dispatch processes, to
test its OMA VBS on track that has been equipped with positive train
control (PTC).
DATES: FRA will consider comments received by December 13, 2021 before
taking final action on the Testing Plan. FRA may consider comments
received after that date to the extent practicable and without delaying
implementation of valuable or necessary modifications to a PTC system.
ADDRESSES: All comments concerning this proceeding should identify the
agency name and Docket Number FRA-2010-0056, and may be submitted on
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions for
submitting comments. For convenience, all active PTC dockets are
hyperlinked on FRA's website at <a href="https://railroads.dot.gov/train-control/ptc/ptc-annual-and-quarterly-reports">https://railroads.dot.gov/train-control/ptc/ptc-annual-and-quarterly-reports</a>. All comments received
will be posted without change to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; this
includes any personal information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabe Neal, Staff Director, Signal,
Train Control, and Crossings Division, telephone: 816-516-7168, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#df98bebdbaf191babeb39fbbb0abf1b8b0a9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8af898a8dc6a68d8984a88c879cc68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 29, 2021, FRA certified BNSF's
Interoperable Electronic Train Management System (I-ETMS) PTC system
per Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 236.1015.
Pursuant to 49 CFR 236.1035, BNSF must request FRA-approval of any
regression testing of a certified PTC system that is conducted on the
general rail system. BNSF's Test Plan describes the level of testing of
its OMA VBS required to confirm that software changes comply with the
documented requirements outlined in the I-ETMS Onboard Segment
Requirements Specifications.
BNSF's Test Plan and accompanying request for approval are
available for review online at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> (Docket Number FRA-
2010-0056). Interested parties are invited to comment on the Test Plan
by submitting written comments or data. During its review of the Test
Plan, FRA will consider any comments or data submitted. 49 CFR
236.1011(e). However, FRA may elect not to respond to any particular
comment and, under 49 CFR 236.1009(d)(3), FRA maintains the authority
to approve or disapprove the Test Plan at its sole discretion.
Privacy Act Notice
In accordance with 49 CFR 211.3, FRA solicits comments from the
public to better inform its decisions. DOT posts these comments,
without edit, including any personal information the commenter
provides, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system of
records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>. See <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice">https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice</a> for the privacy notice of <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. To facilitate
comment tracking, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the
name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely
optional. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or
confidential information, please contact FRA for alternate submission
instructions.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Carolyn R. Hayward-Williams,
Director, Office of Railroad Systems and Technology.
[FR Doc. 2021-22238 Filed 10-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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